Today and tomorrow
This bathroom forms part of a master suite designed for ease of use for the owners now and into the future – high contrast finishes and flow were key
Designed by Pat De Pont, Strachan Group Architects (SGA)
From the architect:
The setting
Located in West Harbour in Auckland, this is a new home for a professional couple moving into retirement.
High priority has been given to accessibility and live-ability within the house and to its relationship with the gardens.
Two cedar clad building blocks defining public (kitchen, dining, living spaces) & private (bedrooms & service spaces) are linked by a voluminous 'garden room’.
Lining treatments emphasise the ambiguity of this indoor-outdoor space and connections to the garden and landscape.
Integrating principles of sustainability and accessibility, the home aims to allow the homeowners to mitigate health challenges and maintain their independence and high quality of life for as long as possible.
The main bedroom/bathroom suite demonstrates these principals at work.
Master suite details
The large bedroom suite occupies an upper level which can be accessed by both a broad staircase and a domestic lift.
The intention is for this area to be relatively self-contained, and it includes a small kitchenette and room for sitting and working if necessary.
The morning sun is filtered into the bedroom & bathroom spaces through external adjustable louvres, which provide control of both privacy and outlook.
The dressing room and ensuite bathroom are designed with accessibility in mind and are generously proportioned, with fittings specifically designed for people with restricted mobility.
A customised Hewi accessible washbasin is coupled with Hewi stainless steel shower rails, support rails and accessories and Quadro Levo stainless steel tapware, all supplied by SA Plumbing – all ensuring ease of movement in, and use of, the bathroom space.
Contrasting materiality assists people with impaired vision to navigate, and here the timber ceiling and dark tiled floor planes are contrasted with white wall tiling and spotted gum timber cabinetry.
Lighting from ECC includes adjustable black barrel lights on the raking ceiling and mirror mounted Juniper tubular fittings.
Credit list
Architect bathroom designer
Taps
Shower fittings
Accessories
Wall coverings
Underfloor heating
Blinds
Bath
Shower stall
Toilet
Flooring
Lighting
Hot water system
Awards
Home kitchen bathroom commercial design
Eclecticism over uniformity
Downsizing in your own backyard
Familiar yet dramatically different